“Are provisions on board, in case we lose our bearings and can’t get back again?”
“Ay, ay, sir, grub enough to last a week.”
“Have you the ‘navigator’ with you?”
There was a moment of silence.
“Have you the ‘navigator’? No! Well, how many times will I have to tell you, Mr. Garnett, never to start off on a cruise until you are ready? Get the ‘navigator,’ and be quick about it.”
The mate climbed on deck again and went below, reappearing in a moment with the “navigator” tucked lovingly under his arm.
“All right, sir,” he cried, as he dropped over into the boat.
At this the little skipper climbed carefully down into the mizzen channels and stepped into the stern-sheets, while the steward came to the rail and passed the skipper’s coat to Mr. Garnett.
“Shove off! don’t sit there looking at me,” and the men let go and shoved clear of the vessel’s side. Then they raised their oars to a peak.